Abu Dhabi: High-emission cement, petrochemical and fertiliser factories as well as landfill sites in a six-square-kilometre area stretching across Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Ajman are a health hazard and contribute to environment pollution, a member of the Federal National Council said on Tuesday.
Salem Al Shehi, a member from Ras Al Khaimah, suggested that these facilities be fitted with filters and constantly monitored.
He said residents in Ras Al Khaimah have sought the closure of quarries, crushers and factories that violate environmental laws regarding emissions.
Al Shehi said residents living close to industrial areas in Al Ghail, Naseem, Suhaila and Al Manama have asked that strict monitoring be conducted on cement, petrochemical and fertiliser factories, particularly those with heavy emissions such as cement plants.
Al Shehi said surveillance will be of use only if strict measures are taken against plants whose emissions exceed the set limits.
Laws stipulate that dust-control techniques must be introduced in all quarries and mines, and owners of these factories are obliged to install air-monitoring stations linked to a control centre based at the RAK Environment Protection Authority’s headquarters.
In a letter to the House, Dr Thani Ahmad Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said 2,505 scheduled and random visits were made to quarries and factories over the past three years to evaluate compliance with federal environmental laws and regulations.
According to the law, crushers and quarries should be 3km away from residential areas and dust control techniques must be employed at the sites to minimise the amount of dust in the air.
Dr Al Zeyoudi said 55 quarries were shut down for breaching health and safety regulations from 2014 to the end of May this year. Five cement factories were issued pollution warnings during the same period.
Dr Al Zeyoudi said the monitoring of quarries and stone crushers is meant to ensure that compliance is in line with the 2021 UAE Vision and directives to create a sustainable environment and fully integrated infrastructure.
He added that errant quarries are forced to cease operations for one to three months and cannot resume work at the end of the period unless they meet the necessary standards.
Inspections have revealed irregularities, including heavy spread of dust, which is said to be affecting the health and safety of nearby residents badly.
Inspectors have also found a lack of commitment to cover the main feeder in certain quarries, uncovered conveyor belts, absence of rubber curtains to prevent dust from spreading and failure to install air quality measurement devices.
Residents of Al Ghail, Naseem, Suhaila and Al Manama have submitted 12 complaints over the past five years to the ministry over dust emissions, noise pollution and odours from plants in the industrial area, Dr Al Zeyoudi said in the letter.
